An ex-husband left a broken videotape of his wedding in his ex-wife's mailbox during a stalking campaign, a court heard.

The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-wife at Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard he harassed his former partner between January 3 and March 20, continually showing up at her house and sending her offensive text messages.

In his defence, the man claimed he only wanted to see his two children. Accusing his wife of taking cocaine, he said: "I just want my children to be safe and to live in a drug-free environment."

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said the couple married in 2004 and divorced last year. On January 6, the man was served an official warning letter by a bailiff asking him to stay away from his ex-wife.

Between Jaunary 13 and 16 however, he showed up at her house on his motorbike.

"He knocked on the windows and at one time walked in the front door saying he wanted to see his kids," said Ms Clarke.

"He also sent her text messages which would indicate he had been around her house."

The man also visited the house after midnight one evening.

Then one day in February, he sent his ex-wife nine text messages.

Ms Clarke said: "He said she was seeing a 'monkey' and he hoped he would give her AIDS. He also called her a 'dirty bitch'."

On March 13, another offensive text message was sent.

"He stated that he had video proof of her having a 'Niger' (sic) in her closet and was 'coking it up'. He also stated to her that she is 'f*****' and she is a 'f****** coke whore'.

"That same night she put up a dark curtain over her front door."

The next day however, the ex-husband sent her a text saying she "should have done it earlier". He also called her a "dumb ass".

Ms Clarke said: "The complainant is convinced that the defendant is hiding in the bushes and watching and stalking her."

The court heard on March 19 he then approached her as she returned to her car at Bull's Head car park.

The next day he put a broken videotape of their wedding in her mailbox.

On March 21, he came to the house again and asked to see his children, just as she was on her way to the Police station. She told him she had called the Police and he left.

The man continued to send his ex-wife text messages and on Monday he was arrested for stalking.

He told Police: "I got rid of that c***."

A domestic violence order has since been served.

He told the court: "I understand my behaviour was unacceptable. It's all been an effort to ensure my children are living in a drug-free household, especially since she is the primary caregiver.

"She has admitted to Police she has been using or has used coke.

"My threats were unacceptable. I hope she now understands that the influence of certain individuals... I just want my children to be safe and to live in a drug-free environment."

He added: "I've been attending AA for six months and haven't had a drink or drug in six months.

"I attended the house on numerous times when she was having parties."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner told him: "I think turning up in the middle of the night and harrassing her and threatening her, and putting memorabilia in her letterbox..."

The man interjected: "She said she wanted the video back. I put it in her letterbox. I just want my children to be safe and want access to them."

He said he had come to a "mutual agreement" with his ex-wife to see the children every Sunday and one weekend a month.

Mr. Warner said: "She was or is not using cocaine is not my concern. My concern is only you are behaving in this way."

"I realise I should not have taken matters into my own hands," the man replied.

The magistrate sentenced him to six months in jail, suspended for a year.

"I'm satisfied the domestic violence order should be enough to keep you in line and as such, if you commit any further offences within that 12 months, this six-month prison term will be applied," said Mr. Warner.

"I advise you to stay away from this woman and from the children, except as ordered by the court. After your divorce you have no right to interfere with this woman."

He reminded the man he could apply to have access to the children through the courts.

The man was also asked to pay a $150 fine outstanding from an assault conviction in 2000.